USA to Israel:

Stray cats everywhere, with their base of operations in the ubiquitous garbage dumpsters.

Smoking. It’s not that the rates are as even high as in some places, but those who do smoke do it with impunity and little regard for even the idea that other people might not want to be inhaling their toxic fumes at ATMs, bus stops, playgrounds, picnic areas, etc.

Sunday being a regular weekday in terms of school and work.

The national character that combines intense warmth and helpfulness with an unlimited capacity for argument, disagreement, and little interest in civility and politeness to those you don’t know. (Saying “good morning” with a big smile to passers-by makes them think you are a little off, and being too polite (lots of”pleases and thank-yous”) marks you immediately as a foreigner). Once you know someone though, you are like family.

The presence of soldiers all over the place, often with weapons. Since military service is almost universally mandatory, many young soldiers can be seen commuting to and from bases or traveling around. Similarly, most public places (schools, malls, theaters, supermarkets) have armed guards. Nobody even notices for the most part.

The emphasis on values such as mutual aid, courage, and resilience.

For me, the single greatest shock was going from being one of the few recognizable Jewish people in my community to being part of the majority, unremarkable and unremarked.